Before we get into this weeksSurvivorrecap, I just want to verify everyone is doing okay out there.
Im not exactly sure why I just morphed into a #CBSCares PSA, but there you have it.
Okay, as for episode 9 ofSurvivor: Winners at War, lets get into it.
YOU KEEP 6 FEET AWAY FROM ME AT ALL TIMES, ADAM KLEIN!
I PITY THE POOR FOOL THAT TRIES TO RIP OFF MR. Ts MOHAWK!
Dude, do you want to get beat down like Rocky Balboa and his dearly-departed trainer, Mick?
Dude, that isNOTan idol either!
And we were right to laugh.
Because it was hilarious.
before slamming the door shut on hisSurvivorhopes and dreams, heres the thing… ADAM WAS RIGHT!
I mean, no, technically he was not right.
Thats what was so funny about it.
But the instinct was still spot-on.
First off, a bit of history.
And he wasnt the only one.
Many players felt there was a chance that an idol might be hidden somewhere at Tribal Council.
Now, lets go back to this last Tribal Council.
Clearly, Adam felt vulnerable.
He knew he was in trouble at the first post-merge vote but escaped.
Adam had to know he was in major danger.
And when you are in major danger, you have nothing to lose.
Give me the player willing to risk his pride for another shot at the title.
Give me Adam Klein!
Dont mistake what I am saying for a single second.
just, by all means, make fun of Adam for that ridiculous bit of theater.
It was absurd, and you should have all the fun in the world at his expense.
Because whats the fun in watchingSurvivorif we cant laugh at a poor sap going head-to-head against a fleur-de-lis?
To do it front of the biggest legends in the history of the game.
To do it in front of millions of viewers.
And to do it in front of Jeff Probst, and I meanright in frontof Jeff Probst.
And can you imagine if it had actually worked?
Forget about a Ben Bomb.
That would have been an Adam Bomb!
Or… wait for it… anAtomBomb.
Adam Bomb, Atom bomb?
Because atom sounds like Adam?
Oh, youdidget it?
And over-explaining it just ruined it?
Well, it didnt work either Adams ploy or my lame name pun.
But respect for trying.
Instead, he gave it a shot.
Im trying to figure out is it me, is it him, or is it somebody else?
he asked after Nick said he felt safer post-scramble.
This question was answered with complete silence.
And then more silence.
And then awkward looks in the complete opposite direction as far away from Adam as possible.
And then more silence.
Adam finally pleaded again, Anyone?
The entire thing was glorious.
And I love it whenSurvivorlets a moment like that breathe.
Go back toepisode 3of this season on day 9 of the game.
It was the most powerful moment of the entire episode.
Thats all you needed.
And I love that producers devoted that much time to it.
Remember: Every second is precious on this show.
So to take 20 to 30 seconds and devote it to absolutely nothing happening is not done lightly.
But its the right thing to do!
And not just because it also made Adam look silly, although that was a nice side-benefit.
So kudos to the editors and producers for leaving it in.
I mean, nice for me.
Maybe not for the contestants themselves.
I hate these people, said Nick.
I hate them to death, responded Michele.
Im ready for some revenge, went Nick.
These people are all bumbling, fumbling idiots.
I cant stand them, stated Michele.
(INJECT EVERY SINGLE WORD OF WHAT SHE JUST SAID DIRECTLY INTO MY VEINS!!!!)
All I can say is About.
They were just blowing off steam, and I was here for it.
And will continue to be.
Sometimes when history repeats, it can lead to success.
What was interesting about this particular advantage is that there was no set price.
Parvati could sell it to any player for any amount she chose.
Im sure many will argue that Michele paid way too much for that advantage.
And they are probably right.
Because you dont know what else is coming.
But you cant plan for things you dont know about.
A Fishy Situation (Non-Fishbach-related)
Whats this?
Id almost forgotten what those looked like.
It was a fun challenge, and Sofierce and Michele once again brought it home on the puzzle.
But the real intrigue beganafterthe challenge was completed.
There was no gameplay in it.
and then pointed out that the others were probably saying it was all game.
Cut to Denise, Jeremy, and Adam all doing exactly that.
Even worse, Nick was leading the charge to get Sarah out.
I dont feel like I owe her anything, he said.
Of course, you dont!
Get the Balance Right
Thats a Depeche Mode song title I just used as the section title there.
Not their best song, mind you.
That would probably be Never Let Me Down Again.
Or Enjoy the Silence.
Possibly People Are People.
Could be Just Cant Get Enough.
Or, if you want to go deep cut, Shake The Disease or Blasphemous Rumors could do.
This one is also great because it features lots of people falling in super-awkwardly into the water.
People like Jeremy Collins.
Kim for the win!
We were treated to one of those chaotic montages where seemingly everyones names are being thrown out.
There was one notable exchange amongst all that madness worth pointing out, however.
It occurred between Adam and Ben, who had carved out a tense coexistence all season long.
Ben talks to me like Im a child that needs to be scolded, complained Adam.
He plays a lot more like Boston Rob than he would ever want to admit.
But heres the thing: Adam was lying.
Could they both have handled it better?
As for Ben, he could have pretended to buy the lie Adam was selling.
You know what they say: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
I dont actually knowwhoreally says that, but it is advice that could have served Ben well here.
It sounded silly, but this was clearly 23 days of tension at play here.
What a ride it is has been for Adam, filled with highs and lows.
I dont thinkanyoneimagined that Adam Klein would be the most visible contestant of the season after 9 episodes.
He has hadby farthe most confessional interview clips of the season.
What do you think of Adams idol gambit?
And of Parvati sharing his Fire Tokens with the rest of her buddies on the Edge?
And of Sarah giving away her reward feast to Nick?
